see you at noon. I realize this is very traumatic for you. It would be for anyone. The hospital will have a counselor on hand to help you deal with your grief. We’ll do everything we can for you.”
Can you make it all go away?
“Again, I’m so sorry, signorina.”
She clicked off, unable to say another word. It was already eight in the morning. Only a few more hours before she had to give him up. Valentina hurried through the house to the nursery, where she found Rini holding Ric. He was dressed to go to work, but he loved the baby and sought him out at every opportunity.
“I just got the call. Ric isn’t my baby. Your suspicions were right, too. I’m supposed to be at the hospital at noon to pick up my birth baby.”
Rini grimaced. “I’ll drive you.”
“But you have work. I know you’re having a problem with Signor Bruno and should be there to put out another fire.”
“That can wait. Nothing’s more important than helping you.”
“I wish to heaven I’d never asked for a DNA test.”
“You were acting on a mother’s intuition that turned out to be inspired.”
“But to pay this price—I don’t think I can do it.”
“Yes you can. Your birth baby is out there waiting for you. You’re the strongest woman I know. Don’t forget I’ll be there for you.”
She stared at the brother who’d been such a bulwark. “I know. You’ve always stood by me. I love you so much.” Valentina had never done anything on her own and felt shame that she’d always been dependent on family. In showing such bad judgment with Matteo, she felt a failure, but her family had never made her feel like one. Right now she had to prove to herself how strong she really was.
“I love you, too, Valentina. More than you know. Can I help you pack up some things?”
“I’m not sure what to take, but I’ll wrap him in the quilt I made.”
Rini patted the baby’s back. “The other mother will have everything Ric needs.”
Tears filled her eyes. “You’re right. I need to write down instructions for the parents since we won’t be meeting. If you’re willing to play with Ric, I’ll get myself ready and make the list they’ll need.”
At eleven they left for the hospital in Rini’s BMW. When they walked into the outpatient department and she’d checked in with her baby, she turned to her brother. “The woman at the desk said my family has to wait in the reception area.”
He nodded. “I’ll be right here.”
“I’m glad no one in the family knows about this yet. I need time to deal with it first, then I’ll tell Papà.”
Rini gave her a hug before she turned away from him in pain. Signor Conti met her inside the double doors.
“Come down the hall to this room.” Valentina clutched Ric to her heart while she followed him to a small room with chairs and a table. “Again, I’m devastated, signorina. This is a terrible situation, and I will do whatever I can to help.”
She nodded in a daze. “What happens next?”
The second she’d asked the question, a nurse appeared at the door. Signor Conti looked at Valentina with anxious eyes. “If you’ll give the baby to the nurse, then yours will be brought to you.”
But Ric is mine.
Valentina’s pain had reached its zenith. She broke down sobbing. “I don’t know if I can do this, but I h-have to,” she stammered. “If the other parents want to know, I named him Riccardo. Here’s the list of information to give them.”
Signor Conti took it from her. Valentina kissed Ric’s cheeks, then gave him up to the nurse. She thought she’d die when the three of them left the room.
Is this really happening? Her body felt like ice.
In a minute the head of the hospital returned with the nurse, who carried a baby wrapped in a darling blue-and-white quilt. Valentina could hardly breathe as she walked over and put the infant in her arms. Signor Conti said, “I was told his name is Vitiello, but his nickname is Vito. I’ll give you a few minutes to get acquainted, then I’ll be back.” He put a list made by the other woman on the table, and they both left the room.
Taking a deep breath she looked into the face of her birth son.
A cry escaped her lips.
Without doubt his facial bone structure was Valentina’s. She saw shades of her mother, as well. Her beloved mother who was no longer here to turn to for love and advice. The baby had deep blue eyes. His pale blond hair—the way it grew—was hers and Matteo’s. She carefully unwrapped him to check his toes.
He’d been dressed in a cute one-piece polo suit in navy and white. She could tell he’d been given perfect care and was thriving, but his little chin had started to wobble, tugging at her heartstrings. Valentina was a stranger to him, but she realized he belonged to her. All of a sudden he started to cry, wrenching her heart.
“Oh—my precious baby. I’m your real mommy, Vito. I know you’re confused, but I already love you to pieces.”
She put him over her shoulder. “You dear, dear little thing.” She stood up and walked around, whispering endearments to comfort him. Right now she prayed that her darling Ric was feeling the same love from his birth mother. But the more she tried to quiet him down, the more he resisted, filling her with panic.
* * *
The head of the hospital came in Giovanni’s room accompanied by a nurse. With the door open, he could hear a baby crying at the top of his lungs from another room. It was Vito! But Giovanni couldn’t do anything about it because the nurse placed the baby in his arms. Then she left.
“His name is Riccardo,” Signor Conti informed him. He put a list made by the other mother on the table. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” The closed door shut off most of the sound.
Giovanni looked down at the baby. The second he saw his face and those dark eyes peering from the edges of an exquisite hand-stitched quilt in blue, yellow and white, he didn’t need the proof of a DNA test to know it was his son. The telltale black hair and widow’s peak proclaimed him a Laurito. His nose and mouth had the look of Tatania. He had long fingers, a trait of the Laurito men.
He could tell the mother had taken meticulous care of him. The one-piece navy body suit had four white sailboats. Giovanni was thrilled beyond belief at the sight of his son, but the baby wasn’t happy to be with him and began to cry.
“Riccardo—figlio mio—I know you’re frightened, but we’ll become friends. You’ll see.” He raised him to his shoulder and ran his hand over his back. “I know you miss the mother who took care of you, but now you’re home with me where you belong.”
How shocking to feel this instant affection when he’d felt the same way about Vito. Seeing his own flesh and blood was like a miracle. He
